Jamie Staff 9th of January 2003

Hi everyone, just a quick update on what I’ve been to since the Grands.
Well, I spent about 2 weeks putting stuff in storage and passing stuff I didn't want on to friends and goodwill. If you ever have plans on moving out of the Country, do not, its a nightmare! You have to go through everything and ask yourself if you want to ship it or store it or sell it, its a nightmare!
Anyway I did get out a bit during these stressful times and had a quick get away to Vegas to go to my agents wedding, which did help things a little but then I came home only to realize that I only had a few days to empty my house, which was full of stuff that I had no idea that I had. After I moved out of my house I spent 4 days in Carlsbad in a hotel that was right on the beach, I needed that to help bring down the stress level, it was beautiful just me, my girl friend, and gas artificial fire, what more could a man ask for?
That all done I said good-bye to the friends I've made over the last 7 years and headed back to Manchester which is going to be my adopted home for the next 3 years whilst I train in the run up to the Olympics in 2004. Soon as I landed I headed to the Velodrome and sorted out any paper work I had there, then went out on a mad house hunt as I only had 2 days to find myself a new house. Straight to work, I organized with a local Estate Agents (Realtor) a tour of the town and the houses that where up for sale. At the end of the second day and about 20 houses later I found something that was just what I was looking for, a 1 bedroom flat. I was thinking of moving out to the countryside so that I would have a lot more space but in England when you live out in the country there is absolutely nothing to do in the evenings, and used to being in the States, where you have every convenience within a stones throw, I thought that I would be better off in the city with at least things to do when I'm not training.
With the house thing done, next was Christmas. I went down to my Aunts house and spent the two days before Christmas with my cousin Daniel who is an up and coming Ice Hockey player and plays for England, Hess only 13, so went spent our time 10 pin bowling and fighting each other, which drove my Aunt and Grandma nuts, quite funny we thought!
Christmas day rolled around and our family spent the day in a Hotel having dinner there as I think the ladies have had enough of cooking Christmas dinner only for it to be gone in about 60 seconds and then left to clean up. I don't blame them!
With Christmas down all that was left was New Years, mmm, what was I going to do? Well, considering the last two months and some of the indulgence that had been going on I decided to stay in with the folks and go and spend some time with my Granddad who isn't doing too well. I'm glad I did, as its probably the first one I've spent with them in about 10 years.
What's next? Oh yes, Australia…
At that's where I am now, basking in the sun, when I'm not getting a sore ass on these road bike things! The heat here is amazing, I think its been over 100 every day! Sorry to depress you all but someone has to do it….

Well, Ill be in touch soon, Jamie Staff…